Jonathan Rothery will return to the BBC in the newly created position of head of pop music, TV.
Under the leadership of Lorna Clarke, BBC director of music, Rothery’s remit will focus on pop music commissions across TV, iPlayer and Digital, as well as collaborating with radio and BBC Sounds.
Rothery will start in his new role on September 12.
Lorna Clarke said: “With over 20 years working in television, Jonathan now brings his incredible skills and experience as a hugely respected programme maker, executive producer and commissioner to the BBC’s music team. Having worked at a senior level on a vast range of content and formats, I’m looking forward to him bringing his genuine love for music and creativity and vision as he joins the BBC to deliver our world class programming across all our platforms.”
Jonathan Rothery said: “I feel very privileged to have spent 10 years commissioning such a broad range of shows and working with such amazing people at Channel 4. The opportunity to set my sights back on music TV and more specifically help build on the amazing slate of shows the BBC has to offer is a dream role for me.”
I’m looking forward to him bringing his genuine love for music and creativity and vision
Lorna Clarke
Rothery joined Channel 4 as commissioning editor in 2012 to oversee programming from live music events including V Festival, Mercury Music Prize and iTunes Festival. His music programming commissions include the award-winning Four To The Floor and international hits John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky and George Michael: Freedom.
Since 2018 he has also commissioned popular entertainment programmes, overseeing shows including Sunday Brunch, which has become a key TV show for music, as well as Tattoo Fixers and 8 Out of 10 Cats. Recent commissions include Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, Johnny Vegas Carry On Glamping, Rosie Jones Trip Hazard and forthcoming Roku co-funded reality series Tempting Fortune.
As commissioning editor for music and entertainment at Sky, Rothery oversaw Isle of Wight, Latitude and Cambridge Folk Festivals. He also produced shows including Popworld (C4), 4 Music Presents (C4) and Big Brother’s Little Brother (C4/E4).
Whilst at BBC Music Entertainment, he worked on shows including Top of the Pops (BBC One), Later... with Jools Holland (BBC Two) and Glastonbury Festival (BBC Two/BBC Three).
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